Releasable stop arrangement for a machine tool



June 7, 1966 A. SPINNER 3,254,552

RELEASABLE STOP ARRANGEMENT FOR A MACHINE TOOL Filed Feb. 13, 1964 2Sheets-Sheet l //v MFA/7UP Ado/f Spinner June 7, 1966 A. SPINNER3,254,552

RELEASABLE STOP ARRANGEMENT FOR A MACHINE TOOL Filed Feb. 13, 1964 2Sheets-Sheet 2 i, i I 9.3a

2a 2.2 I 22a 4 AWE/W04 Adolf Spz'zzzzez' United States Patent 3,254,552RELEASABLE STOP ARRANGEMEENT FOR A MACHINETOOL Adolf Spinner, 38Dachauer Strasse, Munich, Germany Filed Feb. 13, 1964, Ser. No. 344,608

13 Claims. (CL. 83--240) This invention relates to machine tools, andmore particularly to areleasable stop arrangement for limiting'thetravel of a tool slide or the like.

It is known to control the travel of tool slides on cutting machinetools by means of stops which limit the movement of the slides in theseveral operations of the machine.

The object .of the invention is the provision of a releasable stoparrangement which is of simple construction, yet capable of'limiting thetravel of a tool with great precision.

Another object is a stop arrangement of the type described which isreliable in its operation and has a long useful life without requiringreconditioning.

A further object is the provision of an arrangement including aplurality of individual releasable stops and occupying but a minimum ofspace in which the several stops operate without interfering with eachother.

Yet another object is the provision of a stop arrangement the workingelements of which are readily accessible for servicing and maintenance.

With these and other objects in view, the invention,

in one of its aspects mainly consists in a stop arrangement includingmeans which define the path of an abutment member mounted on the toolslide to be controlled. Guide rails extend transversely of that path. Ablocking member is arranged for movement on the rails, and is urged intoengagement therewith by yieldably resilient means while it is beingmoved toward and away from a path blocking position by suitableactuating means.

Other features and many of the attendant advantages of this inventionwill be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood byreferenceto the following detailed description when considered inconnection with the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a sectional plan view of a releasable stop of the invention;

-FIG. 2 is an elevational end view of the device of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, partly sectional plan view of an automaticmachine tool equipped with several releasable stops of the type shown inFIGS. 1 and 2.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2 in detail, there is shown a solenoidhousing 1 which is a block of hexagonally prismatic shape. The housing 1carries a similarly shaped coaxial support 2 for the blocking mechanismof the stop. A blind, axially elongated bore 3 in the solenoid housingis aligned with a through bore 4 in the support 2.

A tubular solenoid coil 5 is received in another axially elongated boreof the housing 1 and cooperates with a cylindrical armature rod 6co'axially received in the coil. The coil 5 and armature 6 are retainedin the housing 1 by a plug 7. A threaded spindle 7 extends coaxiallyfrom one end of the armature 6 through the plug 7 and may carry a nut,not shown in the drawing, for limiting movement of the spindle 7 inwardof the housing 1.

The other end 8 of the armature 6 is of reduced cross section andextends from the housing 1 into an opening of the support 2. Thearmature end 8 abuts against an arm 9 of a bellcrank lever which ispivoted on the support 2 by a pin 10. The arm 9 is held in engagementwith the armature by a torsion spring 17 coiled about the pin 10.

The other arm 11 of the bellcrank lever extends from Patented June 7,1966 ice the pin 10 beyond the generally hexagonal front face 16 of thesupport 2. as to be parallel to the pin 10. Respective ends of two fiatlinks 14 are hinged on the lever arm portion 12, and the other ends ofthe links are pivotally secured to opposite side faces of a cover 13.The cover is pressed against two rails 18 of tungsten carbide by ahelical torsion spring 15 mounted on the lever arm portion 12. The rails18 are set into the front face 16 of the support 2 on opposite sides ofthe orifice of the bore 4.

When the coil 5 is energized, the armature 6 is attracted inward of thehousing 1 against the restraint of the return spring 17. The bellcranklever 9, 10, 11 is thereby pivoted counterclockwise, as viewed in FIG.1, and the cover 13 is moved by the links 14 along the rails 13 into aposition in which it blocks the orifice of the bore 4.

The cooperation of several stops 20, 21, 22, 23 of the type shown inFIGS. 1 and 2 is illustrated in FIG. 3 which shows as much of anautomatic cutting machine tool as is necessary for an understanding ofthis invention.

A guide rail 26 is a portion of the stationary frame of the machinetool. A tool slide 25 is moved on the guide rail 26 back and forthduring normal operation of the machine as indicated by a double arrow.The reciprocating movement of the tool slide 25 is actuated by the drivemechanism of the machine in a manner not in itself relevant to thisinvention, and not illustrated for this reason. It will be understoodthat the slide 25 carries a non-illustrated cutting tool.

A carrier 24 is mounted on the slide 25 and supports four abutment pins20c, 21c, 22c, and 23c which are of different lengths and movelongitudinally during the reciprocating movement of the slide25. Thefour identical releasable stops 20, 21, 22, 23 are mounted on the machine frame in longitudinal alignment of their respective bores 20a,21a, 22a, 23a with the abutment pins on the carrier 24. The bore of eachstop is constituted by corresponding bores 3 and 4 as shown in FIG. '1.

The cover 20b of the stop 20 blocks the corresponding bore 2011, whereasthe covers 21b, 22b, and 22c are in the inoperative position shown inFIGS. 1 and 2. The

solenoid of the stop 20 is energized in the illustrated -FIG. 3, mainlyconsists of a rotary timing switch connected to a source of electriccurrent and driven by the main drive of the machine tool in aconventional manner selectively to energize the several solenoids intimed sequence in synchronization with the operation of the machine.

The stop arrangement illustrated is capable of arresting movement of theslide 26 in five different positions. Four of these positions aredefined by engagement of an abutment pin with a cover which blocks itspath, and the fifth by engagement of the longest pin with-the end wallof the bore in the associated stop when all covers are in theinoperative position.

While electromagnetic operation of the covers is pre-' a conventionalmanner by a rotary control valve in the programming unit 27 connected toa source of compressed Its free terminal portion 12 is bent so air orhydraulic fluid under pressure, and to a vent, as is well known initself.

The stops of the invention have been found to be capable of reliableoperation over extended periods of time without maintenance other thanroutine lubrication. The narrow guide rails 18 and springs 15 preciselylocate the covers 13 in the path of the abutment pins and are notsubject to significant wear. There is very little wear on the covers 13themselves, but the covers are quickly and easily replaced if necessary.The solenoids which are arranged with their axes parallel to the pathsof the abutment pins permit the stops to be juxtaposed closely in aminimum of space without mutual interference.

- It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing disclosurerelates to only a preferred embodiment of the invention, and that it isintended to cover all changes and modifications of the example of theinvention herein chosen for the purpose of the disclosure which do notconstitute departures from the spirit and scope of the invention setforth in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A releasable stop arrangement for a machine tool and the likecomprising, in combination:

(a) means defining a path of movement for an abutment member;

(b) two guide rails elongated in a direction transverse of said path andspaced from each other transversely of the direction of elongationthereof;

(c) a blocking member movable on said guide rails toward and away from aposition in which said blocking member blocks said path;

(d) actuating means for actuating the movement of said blocking membertoward and away from said position thereof; and

(e) yieldably resilient means urging said blocking member intoengagement with said guide rails during said movement thereof.

2. An arrangement as set forth in claim 1, wherein said actuating meansis electromagnetically operated.

3. An arrangement as set forth in claim 2, wherein said actuating meansinclude a coil of conductive material having an axis extending in thedirection of said path and axially spaced from said blocking member, andan armature linked to said blocking member.

4. An arrangement as set forth in claim 3, further comprising linkagemeans interposed between said armature and said blocking member formoving said blocking mem- .ber toward said blocking position thereofwhen said coil is energized, and return spring means urging saidblocking member to move away from said position.

5. An arrangement as set forthin claim 1, wherein said path definingmeans include a support member formed with a bore having an orifice in aface of said support member, said bore constituting a portion of saidpath, and said guide rails being mounted on said face for guiding saidblocking member toward and away from a position in which said blockingmember obstructs said orifice.

6. A releasable stop arrangement for a machine tool comprising, incombination:

(a) stationary frame means;

(b) a carrier arranged for reciprocating movement on said frame means;

(c) a plurality of abutment members projecting from said carrier in thedirection of movement thereof, said abutment members being juxtaposedtransversely of said direction for movement in respective parallel pathswhen said carrier reciprocates on said frame means;

(d) a pair of spaced guide rails extending transversely of each of saidpaths;

(e) a plurality of blocking members movable on respective pairs of saidguide rails toward and away from respective positions in which saidblocking members block the paths of respective associated abutmentmembers;

(f) a plurality of actuating means operable for actuating movement ofrespective blocking members toward and away from said positions thereof;and

(g) yieldably resilient means urging each blocking member in thedirection of said reciprocating movement into engagement with theassociated pair of guide rails during said movement of said blockingmember.

7. An arrangement as set forth in claim 6, wherein two of said abutmentmembers extend different distances from said carrier in a directiontoward the associated blocking members.

8. An arrangement as set forth in claim 6, further comprising controlmeans operatively connected to said plurality of actuating means foroperating said actuating means in timed sequence.

9. A releasable stop arrangement for a machine tool and the likecomprising, in combination:

(a) means defining a path of movement for an abutment member;

(b) guide rail means elongated in a direction transverse of said path;

(c) a blocking member movableon said guide rail means toward and awayfrom a position in which said blocking member blocks said path;

(d) electromagnetically operating actuating means for actuating themovement of said blocking member toward and away'from said positionthereof, said actuating means including (1) a coil of conductivematerial having an axis extending in the direction of said path andaxially spaced from said blocking member,

(2) an armature, and

(3) linkage means interposed between said armature and said blockingmember for moving said blocking member toward said position thereof whensaid coil is energized, and

(4) return spring means urging said blocking member to move away fromsaid position thereof,

(5) linkage means including a lever arranged for pivoting movementrelative to said guide rail means, and having two arms respectivelyconnected to said armature and to said blocking member; and

(e) yieldably resilient means urging said blocking member intoengagement with said guide rail means during said movement thereof.

10. A releasable stop arrangement for a machine tool and the likecomprising, in combination:

(a) means defining a path of movement for an abutment member;

(b) guide rail means elongated in a direction transverse of said path;

(c) a blocking member movable on said guide rail means toward and awayfrom a position in which said blocking member blocks said path;

(d) electromagnetically operated actuating means for actuating themovement of said blocking member toward and away from said positionthereof, said actuating means including (1) a coil of conductivematerial having an axis extending in the' direction of said path andaxially spaced from said blocking member,

(2) an armature, and

(3) linkage means interposed between said armature and said blockingmember for moving said blocking member toward said position thereof whensaid coil is energized, and

(4) return spring means urging said blocking member to move away fromsaid position thereof,

(5) said linkage means including a bellcrank lever arranged for pivotingmovement relative to said guide rail means about a fixed axis and havingtwo arms, one of said arms being connected to said armature, and a linkmember attached to said blocking member and hingedly secured to theother arm of said bell-crank lever;

(e) yieldably resilient means urging said blocking member intoengagement with said guide rail means during said movement thereof, andengaging said link member for urging rotation thereof relative to saidother arm.

11. A releasable stop arrangement for a machine tool and the like,comprising, in combination:

(a) means defining a path of movement for an abutment member, said pathdefining means including (1) a support member formed with a bore havingan orifice in a face of said support member, said bore constituting aportion of said path, and with an opening;

(b) guide rail means elongated in a direction transverse of said path,said guide rail means being mounted on said face;

(0) a blocking member movable on said guide rail means and guidedthereby toward and away from a position in which said blocking memberobstructs said orifice; (d) actuating means for actuating the movementof said blocking member toward and away from said position thereof, saidactuating means including (1) a housing secured to said support member,

(2) a coil of conductive material arranged in said housing,

(3) an armature arranged for movement when said coil is energized, saidarmature extending into said opening, and

(4) a bellcrank lever pivoted on said support member in said housing,said lever having two arms respectively connected to said armature andto said blocking member; and (e) yieldably resilient means urging saidblocking member into engagement with said guide rail means during saidmovement thereof. 1 12. An arrangement as set forth in claim 11, whereinsaid housing is formed with a bore aligned with said bore of saidsupport member and constituting another portion of said path.

13. A releasable arrangement for a machine tool and the like comprising,in combination:

(a) means defining a path of movement for an abutment member; (b) aguide rail elongated in a direction transverse of said path; (c) ablocking member movable on said guide rail toward and away from aposition in which said blocking member blocks said path;

I (d) actuating means for actuating the movement of said blocking membertoward and away from said position thereof; and

(e) yieldably resilient means urging said blocking member in thedirection of said path into engagement with said guide rail during saidmovement of said blocking member.

References Cited by the Examiner FOREIGN PATENTS 6/1963 Germany. 12/1960Italy.

1. A RELEASABLE STOP ARRANGEMENT OR A MACHINE TOOL AND THE LIKECOMPRISING, IN COMBINATION: (A) MEANS DEFINING A PATH OF MOVEMENT FOR ANABUTMENT MEMBER; (B) TWO GUIDE RAILS ELONGATED IN A DIRECTION TRANSVERSEOF SAID PATH AND SPACED FROM EACH OTHER TRANSVERSELY OF THE DIRECTION OFELONGATION THEREOF; (C) A BLOCKING MEMBER MOVABLE ON SAID GUIDE RAILSTOWARD AND AWAY FROM A POSITION IN WHICH SAID BLOCKING MEMBER BLOCKSSAID PATH; (D) ACTUATING MEANS FOR ACTUATING THE MOVEMENT OF SAIDBLOCKING MEMBER TOWARD AND AWAY FROM SAID POSITION THEREOF; AND (E)YIELDABLY RESILIENT MEANS URGING SAID BLOCKING MEMBER INTO ENGAGEMENTWITH SAID GUIDE RAILS DURING SAID MOVEMENT THEREOF.